Marine propulsion.



W. P. THOMPSON.

MARINE PBOPULSION.

APPLIUATIOB HLM; nov. zo, 190s.

Qsa Patented Nov?. 17, 190s.

u fm-fd e WIVESSES.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. P. THOMPSON.

MARINE PROPULSION.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. zo, 190s.

Patented Nov. 17, i908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 UNITED sTATEs 'PATENT oEEIoE.

WILLIAM P. THOMPSON, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

MARINE PROPULSION.

specification f Lei-.ters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

Application led November 20, 1908. Serial No. 181,999..

To all 'whom`fit lrml/y concern:

B e it known that I, WiLLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Liverpool, in the4 The invention isbest described-'by aid oftheaccompanying drawings, of the Well known Steamship Turbz'm'a as it would appear fitted with my mechanism, in which Figure'l is a side view of the vessel when -V going at full speed; Fig. 2 a view from the stern of same;4Fig. 3 a detail view of supporting fin; Fig. 4 an alternative view similarft'o Fig. 1; Fig. 5 a detail. view of two 4supporting ns, in this instance with their the 'side o keel "extending to a considerable distanceV levers; Fi 6 a third variation in which the fins are xtures but are set oblique not merely longitudinally, but also transversely; andFig; 7 a fourth modification` showing supportin `fins and struts projectin from the' hull while the vessel rides on the lowest ones which are below the shi Like letters relate to like parts'in a l the drawings. f vReferring first to Figs. '1,2 and 3;'A is the hull of the ship, `B B` continuations of the below'the hull. C C a series of supporting fins projecting `from the side of the shi formed of steel, bronze, or other like har 4 5 than at, rear.

nigh metal,'and; having a sharp edge, front degrees with-the horizontal These ns arev arran ed in pairs or trios at diiierent heights. n the yffdrawin' there are `eighteen ns arranged-at six di erent heights. 1),.a series of struts from' the'hull to .the fins so asv to support them.` For a snall vessel these struts 'may notbe re uired. For `medium .sized'vess'els o ne strut olding the end .willfsliica For large; vessels two. or4 morel struts oneachside back, and set at an angle gf Sayfou1t- 1g er. 1n on may` hef'requisite. I h'ese Struts are fmajde' with shar edges fore and aft in order to lessen the igriction in the water, but are other,- wise tubular in large vessels for strength and rigidity.A E is a beam swiveling on the1 driving axle F. There are one or more of' these at each side of the vessel. G is a chain gear connecting the driving axle with the axle H of the paddle wheel I; there are the same number of paddle wheels as there are beams. J is a gear for raising and lowering the paddle wheel. A The paddle wheel is formed as a hollow drum with a large series of radial blades K passing through slots in the same. These blades can be fixtures or have any convenient device suchas a spiral cam not set forth in the drawing, for drawing them in uniformlyV towards the center, or projecting them through each of the slots. T T are the ordinary screw propellers of the Turbe'ma.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 instead of the fins being arranged at different heights, they are all in the same plane, but they are made to swivel on journals P in bearings in the keel and struts and are furnished with leyers L passing up through wells O O inthe hull, and oscillatino` with the journals P as pivots. It is obvious -tiat all of theinsor anynumber of them, may be connected for 'simul- 'taneous movement. Fig. 6 shows a thirdvariation in which the fins are set at an angle transversely as well as at a slight ',obllquity longitudinally.

In Fig. 1 is shown how the paddle wheel slides in a sliding bearing in a circular slide having the center of the curve in the driving axle. wheel, Q, axle box, R circular guide s ide.

The mode of action is as followsz--The ordinary propellers are set going till between twenty and thirty miles an hour, tle vessel rises on the tins. The paddle wheel 'being lowered sucientlyinto thel water to act on the water, the engines, by friction In lthis His the axle of theaddle gearing, or other mechanism, are put in gear with the paddle wheels which are thus setgo-ing, while the screws are thrown outl ofl ear with the. engine. The water coming against the fins has a tendency to raise the vessel .higher'out of the water, d consequently afford less resistance to Xe water. Thel ower. thus saved is devoted to increasing he speed of the vessel, and from time to'tim', or continuously, or automaticall `as the;T 1

rises, the paddlewheel is lowered lakes, canals andy rivers.

and

so as to always keep in AContact with the water. rlh-iscan be done automatically if the beam andthe .paddle are weighted sufficiently.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 where the insare allat the same level. This plan is onlyapplicable for calm water such as small The fins' atfstart are ata steeper fore and aftv slope with the orizon andare fewer in number than in he last case, but` as the ship tends to rise on them they are' gradually brought to more 'andmore nearly approach the horizontal,

'and' thus give less resistance' at increased speeds instead of as before mentioned rising Aout' of the water', In Eig. 6, the fins are v placed oblique longitudinally as well as transvrselyf,iso.that as the vessel rises a less area of ,dns 'is submerged.

in 191g. 7 some of the dns project from the side of the shipv only a few are belew ,the hull. As'the vera-el rises the former are exposed; these'are hinged and their struts likewise, so that they'can both-be folded up againstth'e hull during the voyage and while in dock. l donot bind myself to the exact arrange-g ment of propelling devices, as I am fully, aware that my supporting fins could be used withscrew` propulsion vanes or other prot pellers, alone if placed suiiiciently low, or

with paddle wheel alone, nor is it absolutely necessary to have side beams E, as the axle box of the paddle wheel is arranged to travel a cnr-ved guidein a circular curve having the axis of the( driving axle for the center. lt will be noted thatthe dns are all disposed above the base line of the keel and while ,they nia-y be .connected to the keel, the false heel, or the hull, the term vessel asused in tl nis, is intended to cover arrangewhere the dns. are 1n a r .ne abeve the base line of the false Vkeehkeli or any extensien thereof.

each side of the center line and extending beyond the gunwale, said ns being disposed at short intervals for nearly the entire 'length of the vessel, whereby every part of the vessel is supported.

3. In `a vessel supported by fins when traveling above the surface of the water, 'a

' series of long narrow supporting fins or blades projecting from the vessel von each side of the center line and extending beyond the gunwale, said Ens being disposed at senese short intervals forlnearly :the entireflength l of the vessel, whereby every partof the vessel is supported.

4. In a vessel supported by'ifns, `a series 'of .l

long narrow, fins having their inner vends connected to lthe body of the'vessel and' 'extending out from the center line ofthe vessel. on both sides to points beyond .the 'gun Wale and/upon which the .vessel rests @when going at quick s eed, whereby there. is a large length of cutting-edge compared witl`i' the vertical area` orxdepthof surface,

said Af ns being'disposed at 'short` intervals fornearly the lentire-.len'gth of thevessel, whereby every part ofthe vvessel .is supported. v

5. In avessel supported-by nsfa series of long narrow ,fins extending out transversely from the center line of the vessel at intervals along the length of thevessel to beyond the gunwale on both sides, .and upon which the vessel vrests when going at quick speed,

whereby there is a great.length of cutting edge compared with the vertical 'area or depth of iin-surface and every part of the vessel is supported.

6. ln a vessel supported by series of long narrow fins or blades 'carried by. and projecting from the vessel on each side of the center line to points beyondA the` gunwale,

and set at a given slight angle fore and aft vwith the horizontal, said ns being disposed at short intervals for nearly the entire length of the vessel,whereby every part f the vessel is supported.

7. ln a vessel supported by fins, a series of long narrow fins or blades directly connected to and projecting from the vessel'on each side'of the center line to beyond the gun? Wale, and set at a given slight angle fore and aft with the horizontal.

8. In a vessel supported by ins,.a series of long narrow iins fixed to and projecting fromboth sides of the vessel to points beyond the gunwale, said fins being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal, to present a maximum of cutting edge, and a minimum of obstruction to advancement through air and water, said-*line being disposed at short intervals for nearlyl the entire length of the vessel, whereby every part of the vessel is supported.

9. ln a vessel supported' by fins, a series of long narrow ns fixed to and projecting from both sides of the vesselto beyond the gunwale, said fins being .disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal in a direction fore and aft, so as to present a maximum of outting edge and a minimumI of obstruction to advancement through air Aand water, and arranged at short intervals for nearly the entire length of the vessel.

l0. In atvessel supported by ns, a series of long narrow supportingns or blades projectingifrom the vessel on each side of the iso v'of thehull, said fins bein angle with the normal sur ace of the water and the united sets of lins having suiiicient- -of lon center line'tocpoints beyond the gunwale and capable. of a 'ustment as regards fore and aft slo sai fins being disposed at short interva s for nearly the entire length of the vessel, whereby every part of the vessel is supported.

11. Ina vessel supported by fins, a series.

narrow transverse supporting fins or bla es, attached to the vessel and arranged at intervals in the length, and `extending beyond the gunwale, and capable of adjustment as regards fore and aft slope.

12. The combination with avessel having a keel piece,.of a series of long narrow fins or blades connected directly to the same and extending out laterally on each side of the center line to' points beyond the gunwale at.

short intervals for nearly the entire length of the vessel, whereby' every part of the vessel is su ported.

13. T el combination with a vessel -of a series of long narrow fins or blades connected. directly to the vessel, the blade surface extending out laterally on each side of the center line `beyond the gunwale, and supported at their outer ends from the side of the ship.

14. A vessel having a hull, a keel, and a series of long narrow supporting tins projecting at intervals laterally, from each side of the vessel to points beyond the gunwale, and. for the most part situated below the bottom set at a slight area at'the-speed used and the anole at which they are set, to support the whole hull clear of the Water.

15. JA vessel having a hull, a keel and a series of long narrow su porting fins projecting at intervals lateral y from. each side of the vessel, and for the most part situated below the bottom of the hull and 'extending out beyond the gunwale, said. fins being set- Y at a-slightangle with the normal surface of the water fore and aft', and. the united sets of fins having suilicient area at the speed used and the an le at which they are set to support the whole ull clear of the water.

16. In Va vessel, the combination with a hull and keel piece, of a series of long thin sharp-edged supporting fins having their inner ends connected to the vessel and projecting out laterally therefrom to points beyond the gunwale, said fins having their forward edges slightlyhigher than their after edges and some parts of the series of fins being at a muchvhigher level than other parts, whereby .when the vessel is low in the' waterpracticallythe entire iin surface is submerged, butas it rises less and less of the aquaplanesurface is submerged.

17.l In a vessel, he combination of an ordinary hull', a keel-piece, and a series of long thin sharpdged supporting fins projecting -out. laterally to beyond the gunwale from vated below the bottom of the hul each side of the vessel, the lfin surface bein at varying heights whereby wheny the vesse is lewin the water all the fin surface is submerged, but as the vessel rises, the iinsurface submerged continually lessens, while at the" same time the extended base remains thev same, and thus great stability is insured.

18. `In a vesselV supported by fins, a series of. long narrow supporting fins, each having its inner end connected to the vessel, said fins projecting at intervals laterally fromyeach side of the vessel, and for the most art situ* and extending from side to side to a greater disf tance than the beam of the vessel, said ns 'being setlat a very slight angle with the normal'surface of the water and the united sets of fins having sufficient area at the speed used, and the angle at which they are set to `side tof side to a greater distance than 'the `Lbealnof the vessel, said fins being set at a slight' angle with the normal surface of the water and the united sets of tins having sufficient area at the speed use and the angle at which they are set to support the Whole hull clear of the water, whereby while there is an immense length of cutting edge and narrow surface afterwards, there is very little breadth and impediment in the water tothe forward movemfnt of the vessel. 20. In a vessel wholly or largely supported by fins, the combination of a hull, a series of narrow blade fins projecting out below the hull from the center line to beyond the gunwaleof the vessel, on each side the outer ends being supported by stays from the hull:

21. In a vessel supported above the surface of the water by fins, the combination with the keel, of a series of long narrow iins projecting from each'side of said keel, journals' having bearings in the -keel and connected to said fins, and adjusting mechanism `connected to said journals, whereby the angle with the horizontal at which said blades are set may be altered while the vessel is movin 22. Iii-a Vessel supported b fins, a series of fins projecting from the si e of the vessel hinged and supported at their outer ends by removable struts from the side of the `vessel, whereby the fins can be folded up'as they enter into dock.

23. In a vessel supported by fins, a series ofV hinged supportmg fins extending out laterally from the hull or keel piece to be struts from the vessel projecting outwards and downwards and Arigidly holding the ends of the fins whereby by disconnecting them, the struts can hang down and the ends of the fins be drawn up against the' sides of the vessel when entering dock.

Q5. In a'vessel, the combination of a hull, a keel piece, a series of supporting tins on each side thereof, said ins supported by spindles passing through the keel piece, and having also journals at their outer ends, strut-s carrying these journals, and means for turning the fins on their axes.

` Q6. The combinationvof a series of hinged supporting fins, hinged struts holding the ends of the fins, so that when coupled they are incapable of being displaced. but capable of being uncoupled at will, whereby both the strut and the hinged end of the fin can be i drawn out of the way when entering a dock.

27. In a. vessel supportedvby tins, a plurality of long narrow fins projecting on each side Afrom the center line belcw the vessel at intervals along the entire length of the vessel to beyond the beam of the vessel, means Vfor supporting said'ns inciuding struts secured to the sides of the vessel and connected to said ins, whereby a very great width of long narrow cutting edgeand blade surface is obtained and the stability of the vessel is secured. i

28. In a vessel supported by ns for reducing the draft o'f the vessel in proportion as its speed increases, successiveiy opersenses l able propelling devices each arrangedv to work effectively when the vessel is immersed at a ldifferent level from the other; and wholly independent of each other. i

29. In a vessel, supporting fins for reducing the draft of the vessel iii proportion to its increase in speed, and successively operable propellers arranged respectively at different levels, and wholly independent of each other. Y I

30. Ina vessel, supporting n's for reduc-V ing the draft of the vessel in proportion to its increase in speed, successively and independently' operable low and high speed propellers, the lower speed propel er bein 1n a peller.`

1 plane above the plane of the high spee pro#` 31. In a vesselfsupportingfins.for reduc.-

ing the draft of the vessel -ln 4,prop'ortion to' its increase in speed, and a series of propelling devices successively and independently operable as the speed of the vessel increases.'

32. The combination of a vesselcapable v of being supported' on lateral fins when vin raid motion, with a propelling device for driving the vessel at slow speed when the hull is immersedA in the `ordinary vmanner,l

and a quick speed propelling device'capable of bein@ put into operation as, the hull rises and ri es -on 'the lfins, .and lifts'the slow speed-propelllng device partially or wholly out of the water. 'I

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name this 11th day ofNoVexnberl 1903, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. r. THOMPSON;

Witnesses:

WV. H. BEEs'ron, JOHN MCLACHLAN. 

